Rita (Noah) Samara

Rita M. (Noah) Samara, 97, a longtime resident of Worcester and the Lake Quinsigamond neighborhood, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. Rita is reunited in heaven with the “love of her life” and husband of 67 years Albert J. “Chic” Samara, who passed away in 2017.

Rita was born in Buffalo, New York, one of eleven children of Lebanese immigrants Sarkis and Katherine (Rohanna) Noah. Rita moved to Worcester as a young woman, met Chic and they married in 1950.   They spent the next 67 years devoted to each other and their family. Rita continued to live and guide her family in the family home until she passed away..

Rita is survived by her four children, Jody Wellington of Evesham, NJ, David Samara and his wife Mary of Shrewsbury, Stephen Samara of San Diego, CA, and her daughter, Susan Samara, of Worcester; seven grandchildren, Nathan Samara of Torrington, CT, Melanie Donahue and her husband Nick of Holden, Elizabeth Wellington and her husband, John Feeney-Coyle of Denver, CO, Dana Robinson and her husband Michael of Mount Laurel, NJ, Michael Samara of Shrewsbury, James Kozlowski and his wife Sian Loughran of Auckland, New Zealand, and Matthew Kozlowski of Los Angeles; eight great grandchildren, Grace, Jackson, Oliver, Luke, Madeline, Theodore, Jack, and Samara; Many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. In addition to her parents and husband Chic, she was predeceased by six brothers, Samuel, Robert, Raymond, George, Joseph, and James Noah, and four sisters, Anne Pitzella, Theresa Hage, Rose and Josephine Abraham.

The family would like to thank the dedicated nurses and home health care aides of Notre Dame Hospice for the care, comfort, and compassion they gave to our mother.

Rita was a member of the former St. Margaret Mary’s Church and a member of St. Anne’s Church in Shrewsbury. Rita worked in the newsroom at the Telegram and Gazette for many years until she retired. She had a passion for reading, crocheting, and cooking. Her Lebanese dishes, especially her kibbee and grape leaves, were a favorite of family and friends. Rita had a huge heart, sharp wit, and enormous sense of humor. She cherished her role as mother and matriarch of her family. Her greatest moments in life were caring for her family, raising and babysitting her grandchildren, family dinners, and the holidays.

A period of calling hours will be held, Monday, July 21, 2025 from 10 am to 10:45 am in St. Anne’s Church, 130 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury with her funeral Mass to begin at 11:00 am. Burial alongside her love Chic, will follow in Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester. The MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements once more. Memorial contributions in memory of Rita can be made to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Notre Dame Hospice, 550 Plantation St., Worcester. To share your thoughts and memories of Rita, please visit her personal guestbook at www.mercadantefuneral.com